Company Secretary Course Details | All about CS

A career as a Company Secretary is not only prestigious and financially rewarding but also carries with it a high level of job satisfaction. There are 3 stages in Company Secretary Course i.e. Foundation, Executive and Professional. So if you want to become CS, you should complete these 3 stages.

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) is a premier National Professional body established by the Act of Parliament to develop and regulate the Profession of Company Secretaries. ICSI imparts training in Company Secretaryship by Distance Learning (by correspondence) enabling students to qualify Company Secretary Course. The Institute provides “Company Secretary Course Material” for all the subjects at the time of registration. There is also provision for optional oral coaching classes.

Chief adviser to the board of directors on best practices in corporate governance.

Responsible for all regulatory compliance of the company

Corporate planner and strategic manager

About CS

Company secretaries (CS) look after company law, corporate strategies, security markets, and other similar issues. Is a company’s compliance with regulations and its smooth running depends heavily on company Secretaries? If you have an inclination towards challenging job profiles and want to make a career as a Company Secretary, CS qualification is the degree to look forward to. CS qualification can be obtained by giving the CS exam organised by the Institute of Company Secretaries (http://www.icsi.edu/). The ICSI membership plays a vital role in job openings in the corporate world and for recruitment in state and central government posts.

ICSI offices across India

The ICSI has its Headquarters at ICSI House 22 Institutional Area, Lodi Road, New Delhi and Regional offices at Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai & New Delhi and 69 Chapters in various cities in India. ICSI has 66 Examination Centers scattered all over India, including one overseas centre in Dubai.

Roles of a Company Secretary

To report to the Board about compliance with the provisions of the company’s Act.

Make sure that the firm complies with the applicable secretarial standards;

Provide guidance to the directors of the company, as they may require, regarding their power, duties and responsibilities.

Collaborate and advise the Board in ensuring good corporate governance and encouraging the firm to follow healthy practices.

Responsible for all regulatory compliances of the company

Today, Demand for Company Secretary is on a rise in India. According to a report in Hindustan Times, there is a demand of approximately 7,000 company secretaries in India and the demand is only expected to increase in years to come. The greater demand for company secretaries is also because of the focus on good governance amongst the new-age companies and the next generation corporate leaders.

Existing practical experience and training requirements

The students are required to undergo the following training:

7 days Student Induction Program (SIP) – within six months of Registration in Executive Program or exempted therefrom for becoming eligible to seek enrolment to appear in Executive Program Examination.

8 days Executive Development Program (EDP) – after passing the Executive Program and before the commencement of 15 months training.

25 hours of professional development program (PDP) during 15 months training

15 months training after passing the Executive Program or Professional Program on completion of the Student Induction Program and Executive Development Program with companies and Company Secretaries in Practice registered with the Institute for imparting training

3 months practical training is required to be undergone by the student if the student completes the professional program examination and exempted from undergoing at least 12 months training based on Company Secretaries Regulations,1982, as amended on submitting the documents to the Institute and fulfils the requirement of Regulation 48. This training will be exempted to the students who have undergone 15 months of training.

15 days training in a specialized agency such as the Registrar of Companies (ROC) / Stock Exchange / Financial and Banking Institution/Management Consultancy Firm can only be commenced if the student completes SIP, EDP, 15 months training and having passed professional program examination.

15 days Management Skills Orientation Program (MSOP)- after Professional Program and on completion of the Executive Development Program and 15 months training

1. The students can be exempted from undergoing training totally or partially depending on the practical experience possessed by them on fulfilling the requirement of the Company Secretaries

2. Regulations,1982, as amended, on submitting the relevant documents. After a student passing the Professional Program may enrol as ‘Licentiate ICSI’ at his/her option until completion of training requirements.

Membership

After qualifying the CS Professional Program and on completion of training as provided under the CS Regulations, a candidate is enrolled as an Associate Member of the Institute and he can use the descriptive title “ACS” after his / her name.

Further Academic Pursuits:

The Company Secretary Course is recognized by the various universities for admission to the PhD course.

Utilization of services of members by various professional/educational bodies for academic activities